A MIDDLE school teacher has been charged with raping a student from the age of 12.
Jill Brisendine Campbell was arrested following an investigation into alleged sexual abuse which reportedly occurred about a decade ago, said police in Alabama.
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The Opelika Police Department arrested Campbell, 47, last Thursday on charges of second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy, the city of Opelika said in a statement.
On April 15, detectives began investigating accusations of allegedly “inappropriate” conduct by Campbell.
This followed a parent’s complaint about the teacher, reported CBS-affiliate WRBL.
They claimed that Campbell had sexually abused their child during the seventh and eighth grades at Opelika Middle School, where she has taught for more than two decades.
The parent discussed the accusations during a meeting with Opelika City Schools Superintendent Dr Farrell Seymore on April 14.
Opelika City Schools – the school district – then immediately contacted law enforcement.
Investigators have alleged that “evidence corroborated the [alleged] victim’s” accusations. However, the matter has yet to go to trial.
She has since been released on a $35,000 bond.
Campbell is booked to return to court on May 7.
The teacher was 37-years-old when the alleged abuse was claimed to have begun in 2015, reported WRBL, citing court documents.
She has been accused of sexually abusing the former student for two years until 2017, the filings reportedly added.
Investigators have also claimed that there had been an exchange of texts between the pupil and Campbell.
They further alleged that she had confirmed in text messages that the alleged abuse occurred while the student attended Opelika Middle School.
Opelika police chief Shane Healey said that shielding students was a very important job for the force.
“Protecting our students is a priority and responsibility we all share.
“If you have any information about this case or any other crime, we urge you to come forward,” Healey added.
Opelika City Schools has been fully cooperating with the investigation, the police said last Friday.
Education bosses have issued a statement confirming that Campbell is currently on “administrative leave.”
They added that, because of the police investigation, no further details would be publicly released at this stage.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the education officials for further comment.
If you have any information, please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the force’s Opelika police mobile app.